Publications

This edition of the EAFRD Projects Brochure illustrates how the mainstreaming of the bioeconomy is being accelerated by Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) around Europe.

A sustainable bioeconomy, while it benefits everyone, has particular relevance for rural communities. The twelve projects featured in this Projects Brochure illustrate how RDPs are helping rural communities seize the opportunities offered by the bioeconomy through the production of sustainable food and feed, innovative bio-based products, renewable energy, environmentally sustainable growth and awareness raising.

This briefing document specifically explores the potential role of non-LEADER/CLLD cooperation for supporting Smart Villages.

It has been developed primarily by interpreting guidance and experiences from previous programming periods in the context of the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on ‘CAP Strategic Plans’ for the period 2021-2027.

This is the main report of the fourth meeting of the ENRD Thematic Group (TG) on 'Smart Villages'.

It overviews the main suggestions made by TG members on the future direction of the ENRD thematic work, looking specifically at areas in which the TG could support the practical implementation of ideas behind Smart Villages.

It provides insights on how to use and plan Smart Villages in the future CAP Strategic Plans (according to the Commission’s proposal for CAP), and how to create synergies between the CAP Strategic Plans and other funds.

It provides information about how a specific village (Lormes, France) has embarked on a participative process to co-design a ‘village of the future’ and the way they have built different components of the local ‘digital ecosystem’. The report also outlines similar initiatives and plans for developing local digital ecosystems in Germany, Spain and Donegal (Ireland).

This edition focuses on networX – the Brussels meeting on 11-12 April 2019 was the largest gathering of the rural development networking community in the current programming period. The key messages from networX are highlighted as are the winners of the first ever ENRD Rural Inspiration Awards.

Members of the Rural Development community who are making a positive difference in rural areas are featured in the ‘Rural perspectives’ section, including great examples of social and digital communications – from Ireland and at European level – and transnational cooperation projects in the tourism sector targeting a new kind of tourist and a report detailing the positive impact of the CAP on rural development in Poland. The regular news round-up includes the latest on the ENRD’s thematic work on Smart Villages and the Bioeconomy and a report on new rural credit services.

It overviews the key drivers and effects of population decline in rural areas across the EU, looking at the role of the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) and other EU policies and instruments in order to help create an enabling rural environment. It explores examples of projects contributing to the creation of business opportunities and the improvement of services and quality of life in rural communities, as well as examples of integrated approaches that can help combat rural depopulation.